Billie Jo Brito, left, owner of Blais Flowers, Jack Flowers, center, author and Jeff Richardson, right, CSR of Penmor Lithographers. Submitted photo

Long time Auburn resident Jack Flowers announces the publication of his latest book “Flowers A Love Story.” Flowers, author of “Rat Six,” his novel based on his experiences as a tunnel rat in Vietnam, says there has never been a novel like it written before.

Local florist Billie Jo Brito owner of Blais Flowers will offer the book for sale just in time for Valentine’s Day. “It is a lovely story and a perfect gift to accompany a bouquet of roses for that special someone.” Jeff Richardson from Penmor Lithographers who printed “Flowers A Love Story” commented, “We print a lot of books, but we have never seen a more colorful presentation of content and are proud to have been part of the process to bring it to life.”

Flowers A Love Story Submitted photo

The book is an illustrated epistolary novel told in florist receipts. The story follows the lives of two people, a girl born in Boston in 1935 and a boy born six years later in Saint Louis in 1941. There is no narrative. It follows their lives for the next 40 years. Each receipt provides clues. Dates are very important as the reader chronologically puts the story together. Illustrations compliment the events represented by the various receipts.

The two characters lead separate yet extraordinary lives over the next forty years. You get to imagine what is happening and how their lives are touched by emotions and historical events of the times. From the depression to World War II, the election of John Kennedy along with the tragedy of his death and that of his brother Bobby, all overshadowed by the civil rights movement and the war in Vietnam. The thoughts and emotions of the two characters are expressed by the sending and receiving of flowers. Love and loss, elation and sorrow, are all expressed throughout the story.

Copies of the book are available at Blais Flowers in Lewiston or from the author at flowersalovestory.com. “It seems that I only write books about love and war. “Rat Six” was a harrowing story about my experiences as the leader of the First Infantry Division Tunnel Rats in Vietnam while “Flowers A Love Story” is a romantic story with a much happier ending.”

Caption for pictures: Book cover. From left to right: Billie Jo Brito owner of Blais Flowers, Jack Flowers author and Jeff Richardson CSR of Penmor Lithographers.